Indoor plant hire has always been about more than just decoration. We’ve always known plants make people feel better, they soften spaces, calm the mind, and make the air feel fresher. But new research from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) shows that plants are quietly doing even more than we thought, and the science is finally catching up. Read on to learn more about the hidden science of plants for purifying indoor air.
The UTS Study
Green Design Indoor Plant Hire recently partnered with UTS on a study exploring how indoor plants naturally improve air quality. The research focused on something called negative air ions, which are tiny, invisible particles that plants release into the air. These ions help remove dust, allergens, and pollutants while also being linked to improved mental clarity and wellbeing.
The Peace Lily Takes the Crown for Purifying Indoor Air
Not all office plants perform equally. Among the species tested, the peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) stood out for its exceptional ability to emit negative air ions.
“Plants offer a natural and promising solution for enhancing indoor air quality by generating negative air ions,” said Luowen Lyu from the UTS research team. “Our study highlights that not all plant types contribute equally, yet a majority of common indoor species still emit high concentrations of these ions, with the peace lily demonstrating extreme performance.”
The research also found that environmental conditions such as humidity, watering, and temperature have a major influence. When plants are well watered and humidity is higher, they release more ions. Warmer conditions also encourage higher emissions while helping plants regulate surrounding air temperature.
Why This Matters
Modern workplaces are designed for efficiency, but they can also limit natural airflow. This is where biophilia, the human connection to nature, becomes essential. Indoor plants, living green walls, and carefully designed office spaces which include plants do more than add beauty and achieve design excellence. They actively contribute to cleaner, healthier environments by improving air quality and reducing airborne particles.
Biophilic design goes beyond aesthetics. It is a practical approach that connects people with nature through thoughtful use of greenery. Plants, Green Walls, Moss Walls and Vertical Greenery bring that connection into offices and corporate spaces, helping employees feel calmer, more focused, and more engaged.
For Green Design, this study reinforces what we have observed across decades of indoor plant hire and maintenance. When plants are healthy and cared for, they do more than enhance the aesthetic. They improve how people feel and perform at work.
The Bigger Picture
As businesses, designers, and architects focus on sustainability and wellbeing, these findings give us measurable reasons to integrate more greenery into interiors. Office plants and green walls are no longer just decorative. They are living elements of workplace design that boost productivity, creativity, and comfort while making the air we breathe cleaner.
We are proud to have supplied the plants for this research and to continue partnering with universities such as UTS to uncover the hidden science behind plants for purifying indoor air.
Because as it turns out, the humble peace lily might be doing far more for your workspace than you ever imagined.
Ready to use Plants for Purifying Indoor Air?
Contact Green Design to explore tailored indoor plant solutions in Sydney, Brisbane, Newcastle, Central Coast, and the Gold Coast. Let’s work together to create a sustainable biophilic design that makes your space cleaner, greener, and healthier.
Green Design Indoor Plant Hire is a member of the Interior Plantscape Association who represent members in the greenscaping industry who design, install and maintain a broad range of indoor and outdoor green life.
Back to Article List